Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary James 3:1

"Be not many [of you] teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment." — James 3:1 (ASV)

James’s first concern in this passage has to do with those who desired to be “teachers” in the scattered Jewish Christian congregations (cf. 1 Timothy 1:7). It seems to have been a common practice for many of the readers to seek to become teachers. So James warns that they should stop becoming teachers in such large numbers. No doubt many who were not qualified by natural ability or spiritual gift were coveting the prestige of teaching. They are warned that teachers “will be judged more strictly.” It is apparent from the words “we who teach” that James includes himself as a teacher. The judgment of teachers will be especially strict because greater responsibility rests on them. The reason for this is that the teacher’s essential instrument, the tongue, has such great influence.